Russia’s largest coal port hikes exports 6%

Russia’s largest coal terminal at Vostochny exported 20.4m tonnes in January-October, around 6% higher than in the same period last year, amid strong Asian demand, port authority data showed.

The increase at the port, on the Sea of Japan, reflected a growing Asia-Pacific appetite for Russian material, in particular from South Korea, which accounted for 34% – or 6.9m tonnes – of the total.

Coal was also shipped to Japan, Taiwan, China, India and Pakistan, among others.

Improved port infrastructure also helped to facilitate the rise, with nearly 271,000 rail wagons unloaded over the period, up by 3% on the year.

Meanwhile, shipments from Russia’s largest European export terminal at Ust-Luga, near St Petersburg, declined 17% in the first 10 months to 16.9m tonnes.

Montel reported last month equipment upgrades in recent months had hampered loadings, but the terminal would likely hike exports by 20% next year – from a projected 21m tonnes in 2018 – to a record 25m tonnes.

The two export hubs accounted for nearly 25% of Russia’s total coal export volumes – by all modes of transportation – in January-October, which rose by 3% to 159.9m tonnes.
Source: Montel